Advice for a TIG beginner?

[dfkrug]

Same holds true for welding/penetration too.

If you are used to welding @ 125a on AC.....you will find that 125a on DC is ALOT hotter. Maybe ~90a on DC would be closer to weld characteristics of 125a AC

I don't know how you can conclude that. Current causes heat, and AC current of higher amperage (RMS) heats up
conductors like DC current does. I am not talking about weld characteristics such as penetration, polarity, rod
type, spatter, etc. Heat.

 

[LD1]

I don't know how you can conclude that. Current causes heat, and AC current of higher amperage (RMS) heats up
conductors like DC current does. I am not talking about weld characteristics such as penetration, polarity, rod
type, spatter, etc. Heat.

If you ain't talking about weld characteristics then what are you talking about? And why is it relavent to the thread?

Penetration, heat in the work piece, etc. 125a ac is pretty close to 90a DC. That's all I'm saying. Don't read any more into it than that.

If you are used to 125a ac, then go to 125a DC....it's gonna burn in alot hotter. 125a on DC would be about like 160-170 on AC

 

[California]

125a on DC would be about like 160-170 on AC

Ok that was my question.

I was surprised how fast the 2/3 dial setting on my TIG (130 amp Stick) ate a 1/8 rod. It seemed similar to setting the old buzzbox in the upper third of its scale.

 

[LD1]

Remember AC is alternating current.

Then there is the whole dcep and dcen thing. Dcep penetrates deeply. Dcen....don't penetrate much.

With AC, you are spending half your time on dcen , the other half on dcep.

If you can straight up run dcep (which is what most rods are ran at on DC), you get much more penetration on the same amps.....
Or in other words, could can dial the amps down a good bit for similar penetration (heat) characteristics of ac

 

[sd455dan]

"As was pointed out welding things to bolts small fittings and working with different metals- tig is in a class of it's own, Eventually i want to build some custom hedders and even an aluminum air intake out of AU for my Volvo Penta boat engine. "


I would love to help you with your Au intake. Can I keep the scrap? :laughing:

Lnk

Yeah- actually (aluminum air intake)
I did not mean to replace the cast aluminum dual carb factory intake,
Only to weld up a sheet Aluminum air box cover for the carburetors. it was missing when i bought the boat and without it water can intrude into the engine when it rains.
Have not been able to find a factory one.

As far as building steel custom hedders - it would be to replace the used GTO hedders that I cobbled up to fit a punched out 455 that I (stuffed) into my 1984 Mazda RX7.

Oh and no you can't have the scrap- what do you think I use to build this stuff with:laughing:

 

[woodlandfarms]

Uhm Au is the abbreviation for GOLD. Glad you can build so much with it.

 

[sd455dan]

You are right, what was I thinking-

wish I had some (scrap) au for now Al or Alum will have to do.

heck, some days i am so poor- I can't PAY attention.

 

[dfkrug]

If you ain't talking about weld characteristics then what are you talking about? And why is it
relavent to the thread?

I was pretty clear that I am talking about heat. You said lower amperage DC will be hotter than a higher
amperage AC. You also asked, perhaps rhetorically, "Why would anyone want to stick weld on AC I'd a
DC machine is available"?

My answer was 3/16" rod, which will require the full amperage of the welder, over 200A, which will
be A/C for the common tombstone or other buzz-box.

 

[BeezFun]

I can't imagine an application for this here. My welding is mostly repairing farm hand tools and tractor implements, and minor fabrication.

I have the same applications and switched over to tig because of the fire issue and it's more portable. Welding in the barn or a field used to mean spending the next hour with a fire extinguisher close by hoping some spark didn't fly into some dry hay. With tig I don't have to worry about that. It's easier to move around and will run on 110v, which is fine for most of the small stuff I weld like gate or corral panels. I have a Lincoln tombstone that I'll still use on occasion if I can move the material up near the shop.

 

[k0ua]

Uhm Au is the abbreviation for GOLD. Glad you can build so much with it.

I noticed that, but didn't say anything. I figured if he want to build with Gold, well let him. :laughing: